Connecting device



Sept. 7 1926. 1,599,342 H. J. MUHLFELD v CONNECTING DEVICE Filed April 21, 1926 WlTNFSSES v 1 INVENTOR $457M Jiffl [uhlfdd 2% BY ATTORN EYS Patented Sept. 7, 1926. a

v UNITED .sTAT E's HENRY J. HUHLFELD, OI ASTORIA, NEW- YORK.

CONNECTING nnvrcn.

Applicat )n filed April 21,

This invention relates to connecting devices for adjustably connecting together two ends of a flexible element such as a clothesline or the like.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision ofa device of the 1ndicated character which is simple of construction, eflicient and effectual in carrying out theresults looked for, and one which is comparatively inexpensive.

The nature of the invention and its distinguishing features and advantages will apar when the following specification is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a view illustrating the employment of the device of the present invention for connecting together two ends of'a clothesline which in use passes over pulle s.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device itself.

Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view through the device and illustrating the manner in which two ends of a clothesline are adjustably connected together.

Fig. 4 is a modification of one of the features of the device.

In the illustrated embodiment, 'the device 19 is employed for adjustably connecting together two ends of a clothesline, the ends being indicated at 11 and 12. The device 10 includes an element 13, preferably made of metal, and preferably of one piece which is cut and formed to provide tubular portions or retaining rings 14, an opening 15 which intervenes the rings 14, spaced apertured lugs 16, all ofwhich are at one end of the element 13, and spaced holes 17 which are at the opposite end of the element 13. Means 18 is provided which combines with the retaining rings 14 for flexing a portion of one end of the clothes-line so that it will be projected into the opening 15, offset with re-.

spect to the portions of the end of the clothesline retained by the rings 14 to set up a contact at two points, as indicated at 19. The means 18 in the preferred form shown in Fig. 3 consists of a lever 20 whose pivot 21 is supported by the lugs 16 into whose apertures the o posite ends of the pivot are respectively is osed. The portion 22 of the lever serves or flexing a portion of the clothesline end, and the portion 23 of the lever serves as a manipulator for effecting the 1926. Serial No. 103,549.

movement of the portion 22 into and out of flexlng engagement with a portion of the clothesline-end. \Vhen the lever 9 is in the position shown in Fig. 2, one end of the clothesline may be readil extended into the retaining lugs 14 and sli back and forth to obtain the desired adjustment, whereu on the portion 23 of the lever is manipulate to cause the portion 22 to flex a portion of the clothesline end into the opening 15, and as a result contact at two oints with portions of the rings 14 respectively will be estab-- lished to positively hold the rope end against movement in either direction. By virtue of the provision of the holes 17 the other end 12 of the clothesline may be extended first upwardly through one of the holes 17 over the intervening portion 24 of the element 13 and then downwardly through the other hole 12 to in that way efi'ectively secure the end 12 of the clothesline. This end. of the clothesline need not be adjusted after it is once secured and its extremity may be knotted to prevent the same from being withdrawn- On the other hand when it is desired to make further adjustment in the length of the clothesline, it is only necessary tomanipulate the lever 20 to bring it to the position shown in Fig. 2, whereupon the clothesline may be further taken up or paid out, after which the lever 20 is again brought to the position shown in Fig. 3 for setting up the clamping action. i As shown in Fig. 4, in lieu of the lever 20 there is provided means which has compound movement as distinguished from the pivotal movement of the portion 22 of the lever 20. The said means in the form of a screw 25 which has a head 26; the screw 25 being threaded-in a threaded hole 27 in a portion of the element 13. Upon manipulation of the head 26 the screw may be projected into the opening 15 to flex a portion of the rope end in a manner similar to the manner in which this is accomplished with the lever 20.

It is to be understood that the present em ployment of the connecting device is by way of example only and that it may be employed in divers other ways for connecting the ends of aerials, and any other flexible apparatuses which are to be adjustably connected together.

I claim A device for adjustably connecting two 110 ends of a flexible element,- said device comelement extending -in said retaining rings prising an element formed to provide a air into said opening to secure the same against of holes atone end,-spacedr etaining rings movement, the holes accommodating a por lo and an opening intervening the retaining tion of an end of the flexible element to se- 6 rings at the opposite end; and means which cure the same.

combines with said retainin rin for ofii setting a portion of one en of t e flexible IQENRY J. MUHLFELD. 

